Harish Rawat meets Rajnath, seeks better telecom services

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 27

Chief Minister Harish Rawat has requested Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for a reliable telecom and internet services in the border areas of the state. Besides he alos requested Rajnath for funds for the Tanakpur-Jauljibi National Highway and Rs 5.62 crore for police modernisation in the state.

The Chief Minister discussed the issues during s meeting with Rajnath Singh in New Delhi yesterday.

Rawat reminded Rajnath Singh in the past also the issue of better mobile phone connectivity in the border areas with Nepal and China in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts were taken with the Union government. The Union Communication Ministry had assured him of addressing the issue but nothing much had happened in the past one year.

He said the Telecommunication Ministry had informed that 47 posts of ITBP and SSB on the border would be provided with low-powered solar operated mobile towers but nothing had been done in this regard. Due to difficult terrain and geographical locations, it was expected from the Union government to provide more satellite telephones in far-flung areas for better communication.

Harish Rawat said the Tanakpur-Jauljibi National Highway is a strategic road connecting the mainland with border areas along China and Nepal. It is the lifeline of economic activities of hilly areas of the Kumaon region along the Kali river, which divides India and Nepal. He added the Central government had constructed the road and demanded funds for it.

Rawat informed the Union Home Minister that Uttarakhand under the non-plan expenditure of 2016-17 had sent a proposal of police modernisation for Rs. 5.20 crore and a supplementary plan of Rs one crore to the Union home ministry.

The state government had also sent a proposal of Rs 84 crore for police modernization under Special Plan Assessment (SPA) to the Union government. He urged the Home Minister to release the funds urgently.

The Chief Minister said the proposal for residential accommodation for police personnel in 19 police stations and 101 posts estimated to cost Rs 200 crore was lying with the Union government for one year. He also requested Rajnath Singh to expedite the matter.